In the Human Brain Project, neuroethics and philosophical reflection have provided an interface between empirical brain sciences, philosophy of mind, moral philosophy, ethics, psychology, and social sciences. The efforts made to include conceptual and normative reflection on the ethical, social, cultural, and philosophical issues that drive and arise from brain research are unique.
Over the past decade, philosophers and social scientists have critically examined issues arising from the design and implementation of the Human Brain Project research and through EBRAINS. They have also engaged in normative discussion of the long-term consequences and implications of brain research. Over the years, neuroethics & philosophical reflection added conceptual clarification of neuroscientific evidence that has been shaped and informed by brain research.
The legacy of our efforts in this field is presented in a recent report from the Human Brain Project’s Ethics & Society team, offering a collection of articles in academic publications and publicity for the neuroethics efforts in the last phase of the project: from April 2020 to September 2023 (SGA3), listing articles on neuroethics in academic journals, and articles and interviews in public media on neuroethics and engagement with citizens, through two research blogs: The Human Brain Projects own blog Ethics Dialogues (www.ethicsdialogues.eu) and Uppsala University’s Ethics Blog (www.ethicsblog.crb.uu.se).
The legacy of this decade of work on Neuroethics in the Human Brain Project can be accessed in our report on social, ethical & reflective work in the Human Brain Project, listing all scientific publications contributing to responsible neuroscience in the Human Brain Project. Neuroethics is also a part of the online training resources on responsible research and innovation, covering a wide range of issues that can all be accessed on the Human Brain Project Website and our Ethics & Society Toolkit with tools for reflecting on ethical and socially responsible practices in brain research. Want to know more? Download the report from Zenodo, or browse the Human Brain Project website pages on neuroethics & philosophy.